UK rare book collection to see $353,000 at Lyon & Turnbull

Lyon & Turnbull will sell a magnificent rare book collection from a UK bibliophile on May 15 in Edinburgh, which was assembled over many years by late English teacher Bruce Ritchie.

Modern first editions may prove popular, but it is ancient botanical books that hold the highest estimates

The collection has been valued at up to £230,000 ($353,000), with first editions and rare copies of some of the most sought after books included.

Popular works such as a first edition of F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby are estimated to bring around £700 ($1,074), but it is the botanical books that will see the highest bids, with a 1696 text by Abraham Munting valued at £7,000-10,000 ($8,272-15,351).

"It is astonishing that a private collector could assemble this kind of collection, particularly relying chiefly on a school teacher's salary," commented Lyon & Turnbull's John Sibbald.

"For me the outstanding items in the sale include the collection of works by Alexander Pope, Seamus Heaney, Tom Stoppard and the works of Yeats. The run of publications from the Cuala Press, the press established by Yeats' sisters, also spring to mind."